The BMW Group has agreed to a three-year partnership with the Sony Ericsson Open making them the tournament’s official car sponsor through 2013. Financial terms were not disclosed. Coordinating timelines aside, this has nothing to do whatsover with the other big headline of the day: Manny Pacquiao says he'll retire in three years.

“The Sony Ericsson Open is proud to add premium brands like BMW and MINI to our list of tournament partners. We are the most glamorous event on the ATP and WTA tours with an international following, and it was attractive to the BMW Group to reach these consumers,” said Sony Ericsson Open Tournament Director Adam Barrett. “BMW’s high quality standards and commitment to excellence make them a perfect fit for our event.”

As part of the agreement, the Southern Region’s BMW NA and MINI USA based in Atlanta, Georgia will be the official car sponsors of the event, and will receive signage in-stadium and on the tournament grounds, as well as tournament hospitality including a stadium suite for the duration of the tournament.

During the two weeks of the tournament top players will be able to drive new BMWs around South Florida, including the all-new 5 Series Sedan, 5 Series Gran Turismo, the X5 Advanced Diesel, X6 SAV and all-new MINI Countryman.

“As the BMW Group, we are proud to be part of one of the premier tennis events in the country. We have a long-standing relationship with the sport of tennis in the South,” said Mark Rogers, Regional Business Manager, MINI USA Southern Region.

“Our partnership with the Sony Ericsson Open reflects our belief in the alignment of our brands with the performance, excitement and grace of the sport of tennis,” commented Hennie Chung, Regional Marketing Manager, BMW NA Southern Region.